Shaped conveyor system for a harvester

ABSTRACT

A shaped conveyor assembly configured for use in association with a harvester comprising a first side lower conveyor sub-assembly and a second lower conveyor sub-assembly. One or both of the sub-assemblies having a frame structure, a discharge assembly and a conveyor assembly. The frame structure has a gathering portion, an outward portion and a terminating portion. The gathering portion is positioned proximate the first end and spaced apart from the second end. The terminating portion is positioned proximate the second end and spaced apart from the first end. The outward portion extends therebetween, the outward portion being inclined in an upward direction relative to the gathering portion, and directed in an outward direction, thereby extending away from the channel, and away from the other one of the first side and the second side lower conveyor sub-assemblies.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/042,428 filed Feb. 12, 2016, entitled“Harvester,” the entire specification of which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The disclosure relates in general to a harvester, and more particularly,to a shaped conveyor system for a harvester that is particularly usefulfor picking of blueberries and the like. The conveyor and the harvesterwith which it is utilized is not limited to use in association with thepicking of blueberries, or any fruit in particular, and the use inassociation with the picking of blueberries should be deemed exemplaryand not limiting the use thereto.

2. Background Art

The harvesting of blueberries is well known in the art. Typically,mechanized equipment in the form of a blueberry harvester proceeds fromblueberry plant to blueberry plant dislodging the blueberries ontoconveyors which can then collect the blueberries and discharge them intobaskets, boxes or the like. Mechanization has greatly increased thespeed at which blueberries can be harvested and has also greatly reducedthe labor required.

While advances have been made, there have been problems with suchequipment. For example, such equipment may be well suited for pickingblueberries that will be sold as frozen product. However, such equipmentis typically not well suited for picking blueberries for packaging asfresh in retail packaging. Generally, the currently available mechanizedequipment tends to damage a large portion of the blueberries duringpicking, and such damaged blueberries are typically not sellable asfresh in retail packaging. Thus, even where mechanization is utilized,hand picking continues to be the manner in which blueberries areharvested for packaging as fresh in retail packaging, as current pickingequipment cannot achieve consistent product that is free of excessivedamage, such as bruises, cuts, scuffs, and breaks, among otherdeformities.

One such advancement is shown in co-pending application cited above,namely, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/042,428. It is furtherdesirable to have less impact on the plants as the plants exit from theharvester. For example, while it is desirable to raise the level of theconveyors utilized to transport the berries upwardly so as to be able toeasily discharge into a container (for example, a container that ispositioned on the harvester), such conveyors can interfere with anddamage the plants that have been processed through the harvester.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure is directed a shaped conveyor assembly configured for usein association with a harvester comprising a first side lower conveyorsub-assembly and a second side lower conveyor sub-assembly. The firstside and second side lower conveyor assemblies being spaced apart fromeach other and on opposing sides of a channel through which plants to beprocessed by the harvester extend. At least one of the first side andsecond side lower conveyor sub-assemblies including a frame structure, adischarge assembly and a conveyor assembly. The frame structure having afirst end and a second end extending longitudinally along the length ofthe harvester. The frame structure including a gathering portion, anoutward portion and a terminating portion. The gathering portion ispositioned proximate the first end and spaced apart from the second end.The terminating portion is positioned proximate the second end andspaced apart from the first end, with the outward portion extendingtherebetween. The outward portion is inclined in an upward directionrelative to the gathering portion, and directed in an outward direction,thereby extending away from the channel, and away from the other one ofthe first side and the second side lower conveyor sub-assemblies. Thedischarge assembly is positioned at the second end of the framestructure. The discharge assembly is structurally configured to dispenseinto a container. The conveyor assembly extends between the first endand the second end, and along each of the gathering portion, the outwardportion and the terminating portion.

In some configurations, the outward portion comprises an outwardlycurved portion.

In some configurations, a portion of the terminating portion issubstantially parallel to at least a portion of the gathering portion.

In some configurations, the outward portion is angled relative to thegathering portion by an angle of between 110° and 170°. In otherconfigurations, the outward portion is angled relative to the gatheringportion by an angle of between 145° and 160°.

In some configurations, the terminating portion comprises an inwardlycurved portion. The curves substantially match resulting in a portion ofthe terminating portion being substantially parallel to at least aportion of the gathering portion.

In some configurations, the first side lower conveyor sub-assembly andthe second side lower conveyor sub-assembly are substantial mirrorimages of each other taken generally about a longitudinal axis bisectingthe channel.

In some configurations, the frame structure defines a lower chamber andan upper open chamber between the first end and the second end thereof.The conveyor passes through the lower chamber in a first direction andthrough the upper open chamber in a second direction.

In some configurations, the conveyor assembly comprises a plurality ofcup members arranged in an end to end fashion. The cup members areconfigured to rotate relative to each other about an axis and to pivotrelative to each other about a plane perpendicular to the axis.

In some configurations, the cup members are joined to each other througha plurality of axles that extend through adjacent pairs of cup members.

In some configurations, the cup members include opposing pairs ofopenings and slots, with the openings substantially corresponding to theaxles, and with the slots allowing for slidable movement of the axlestherealong.

In some configurations, the shaped conveyor assembly further includes aplurality of guide wheel, each one of which is coupled to opposing endsof each one of the plurality of axles.

In some configurations, the shaped conveyor assembly further includes aguide link extending between adjacent ones of the plurality of axlesoutboard each of the plurality of guide wheels.

In some configurations, the frame structure further includes an upperopen channel, defined by an outer upstand wall and an inner upstand wallopposite the outer upstand wall, and an intermediate wall, and a lowerchamber below the upper open channel. The outer upstand wall has aninwardly facing outer wall channel. The inner upstand wall has aninwardly facing inner wall channel. One of the axles and the guidewheels structurally configured to interface with the wall channels, to,in turn, facilitate placement of the conveyor relative to the framestructure.

In some configurations, each cup member further includes a base surface,a first side wall, a second side wall, a back wall and a front wall,each extending upwardly from the base surface to define a cavity with anupper opening. One of the front and back walls further including anupper cover flange extending therefrom, and structurally configured tooverlie the back wall of an adjacent cup member when joined.

In some configurations, each of the first side wall and the second sidewall include an axle slot and an axle opening. The axle slots of thefirst side wall and the second side wall corresponding to each other,and with the first slot and the second slot corresponding to each other.

In some configurations, the discharge assembly further includes a berrydischarge guide member having a plurality of openings, and a bloweroutlet directed to the plurality of openings to, in turn, facilitate theblowing of air through the openings.

In some configurations, a berry discharge chute extends from the berrydischarge chute.

In some configurations, the shaped conveyor assembly further comprisesan air duct positioned above the berry discharge guide member, andincluding an outlet spaced apart from the berry discharge chute.

In some configurations, the gathering portion further includes aplurality of openings positioned therealong. A cover portion isselectively positionable between one of an open configuration and aclosed configuration. In the closed configuration, access to theopenings is precluded.

In some configurations, the cover portion is hingedly coupled to thegathering portion of the frame structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawingswherein:

FIG. 1A of the drawings is a perspective view of a harvester having theshaped conveyor assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B of the drawings is a perspective view of a harvester having theshaped conveyor assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 of the drawings is a perspective view of the shaped conveyorassembly of the present disclosure, showing the first side and thesecond side lower conveyor sub-assemblies;

FIG. 3 of the drawings is a top plan view of the shaped conveyorassembly of the present disclosure, showing the first side and thesecond side lower conveyor sub-assemblies;

FIG. 4 of the drawings is a partial cross-sectional view of the firstside lower conveyor sub-assembly, taken generally about lines 4-4 ofFIG. 3, and, showing, in particular, the frame structure;

FIG. 5 of the drawings is a side elevational view of the first sidelower conveyor sub-assembly, showing, in particular, the framestructure;

FIG. 6 of the drawings is a cross-sectional view of the shaped conveyorassembly of the present disclosure, taken generally about lines 6-6 ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 7 of the drawings is a partial cross-sectional view of the firstside lower conveyor subassembly, taken generally about lines 6-6 of FIG.3, and, showing, in particular, the frame structure;

FIG. 7A of the drawings is a partial perspective view of the framestructure, showing, in particular, the cleaning openings, as well aseach of the cover portions in the open position, whereas the remainingfigures show each of the cover portions in the closed position;

FIG. 7B of the drawings is a partial perspective view of the framestructure showing the cover of the front end portion in a closedconfiguration;

FIG. 7C of the drawings is a partial perspective view of the framestructure showing the cover of the front end portion in an openconfiguration, permitting cleaning;

FIG. 8 of the drawings is a partial cross-sectional view of the firstside lower conveyor subassembly, taken generally about lines 8-8 of FIG.3, and, showing, in particular, the discharge assembly;

FIG. 9 of the drawings is a perspective view of a portion of theconveyor assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 of the drawings is a perspective view of a complete segment ofthe conveyor assembly of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 11 of the drawings is a perspective view of the cup member of theconveyor assembly of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

While this disclosure is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein in detail aspecific embodiment(s) with the understanding that the presentdisclosure is to be considered as an exemplification and is not intendedto be limited to the embodiment(s) illustrated.

It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components,referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings by likereference characters. In addition, it will be understood that thedrawings are merely schematic representations of the invention, and someof the components may have been distorted from actual scale for purposesof pictorial clarity.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, the shapedconveyor assembly is shown generally at 500. The shaped conveyor isutilized in association with the harvester 10, of FIGS. 1A and 1B, whichis similar in function and structure to that is disclosed and claimed inco-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/042,428 filed Feb. 12,2016, entitled “Harvester,” but which includes the shaped gatheringsystem. The entire disclosure of the '428 application is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

As is shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2 and 3, the shaped conveyor assemblyincludes first side lower conveyor sub-assembly 502 and the second sidelower conveyor sub-assembly 502 b. The two lower conveyor sub-assembliesare spaced apart from each other and on opposing sides of a channelthrough which the plants to be processed by the harvester extend. Such aconfiguration is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

It will be understood that the first and second side lower conveyorsubassemblies 502, 502 b are substantially identical mirror images ofeach other, while variations are contemplated between the twostructures. As such, the first side lower conveyor sub-assembly will bedescribed with the understanding that the second side lower conveyorsubassembly 502 b is substantially the same. It will also be understoodthat where like structures are shown in the figures, the same referencenumber augmented by a “b” will be utilized in the drawings.

With further reference to FIGS. 4 through 8, the first side lowerconveyor sub-assembly includes frame structure 504, discharge assembly506 and conveyor assembly 508. The frame structure extends from thefront to the back of the harvester, and on one side thereof. The framestructure 504 includes a first end 510 and a second end 512. Thestructure of the frame includes a base surface 514, intermediate surface516, both of which span between outer upstand wall 518 and inner upstandwall 520. These structures essentially run the length of the framestructure between the first and second ends. The structures define alower chamber 517 and upper open channel 519. It will be understood thatthe lower chamber is configured to have the return portion of the belt,and that the upper chamber is configured to have the surface upon whichthe conveyor itself is positioned upon (although it will be understoodthat the actual conveyor may or may not rest on this surface). As such,the conveyor travels in opposite directions in the lower chamber and theupper open channel.

Opposing wall channels are disposed on each of the inner and outerupstand walls above the intermediate surface 516. In particular, theouter wall channel 522 includes upper flange 525 and lower flange 526.The inner wall channel 524 includes upper flange 527 and lower flange528. The channels inwardly face each other on opposing upstand walls.

With reference to FIG. 7A, the base surface 514, intermediate surface516, inner upstand wall 518 and outer upstand wall 520 may furtherinclude openings extending therethrough. The openings, in theconfiguration shown, comprise elongated openings along the opposingupstand walls and as a rectangular relatively larger opening on the basesurface. The openings of the intermediate surface place the lowerchamber and the upper open chamber in fluid communication with eachother. The openings of the base surface and the upstand walls provideaccess to the lower chamber from outside of the frame structure. Theopenings can be utilized as drains for fluid and debris that may fallbetween the conveyor and into the frame structure. Additionally, thesemay also be access openings for the receipt of fluids from, for examplea hose or other water source. The particular size, shape and position ofthe openings can be varied depending on the different configurationsdesired.

In the configuration shown, the openings in the base surface and theupstand walls may be covered with cover portion 511. Cover portion 511includes base 513 and opposing sides 515. The cover portion 511 ishinged at one end by hinge member 521. The cover portion is configuredto overlie a portion of the base surface, the inner upstand wall and theouter upstand wall so as to cover some of the openings. As can be seenin the FIG. 7A, multiple openings may be presented on the base surfaceand the opposing upstand walls which can be covered by a single coverportion. It will further be understood that multiple cover portions maybe utilized along the frame structure, with each such cover portionbeing substantially the same size and configuration (although it iscontemplated that each cover may be of a different configuration).

In operation, the user can insure that the conveyor is lifted from theground sufficient to allow for the moving of the cover portion from aposition wherein the cover portion closes the openings to a positionwherein the cover portion exposes the openings. In turn, as the userrotates the cover about the hinge, the cover portion can be directedbetween those two positions. For example, the user can move one or moreof the cover portions to an open position and then spray water, forexample, under pressure, through the openings to dislodge and removedirt and debris. The openings then allow for such dislodged dirt anddebris to be drained from the frame structure. When sufficientlycleaned, the user can move the cover portions back to the closedposition. A latch or the like, such as latch 523 may be utilized tomaintain the cover portions in the closed orientation.

The conveyor frame portion is divided between three different portions,a gathering portion 530, an outward portion 532, and a terminatingportion 534. The gathering portion 530 is generally parallel to thedirection of travel of the harvester or slightly oblique thereto. Theoutward portion 532 is curved outwardly so as to increase the spacebetween the opposing first and second side lower conveyorsub-assemblies, to, in turn, create a greater space therebetween. Theterminating portion 534 is curved in the opposite direction so as tostraighten the frame structure so that, at the end of the terminatingportion, the frame structures are again essentially parallel to eachother in a spacing that is greater than the spacing of the gatheringportion. It will further be understood that most, if not substantiallyall, if not all of the berry gathering actually occurs, or is preferredto occur within the gathering portion, and the gathering portion issubstantially parallel to the outside surface upon which the harvestertravels. The frame structure and, in turn, the conveyor is inclined inthe outward portion and the terminating portion in the upward direction.In the configuration shown, the two portions are inclined relative tothe gathering portion at an angle of between 110° and 170° and morepreferably between 145° and 160° and more preferably at 152°. It iscontemplated that in other configurations, the gathering portion and theoutward and the terminating portions may be substantially flat, at 180°relative to each other. In still other configurations, the inclinationof the terminating portion may be different than the outward portion,and in still other configurations, the inclination may be changing alongthe length of any one of the sections (i.e., all three portions may beinclined, for example, or regions of each or some of the portions).

Advantageously, during the gathering, the conveyor frame structure ispositioned below the plant so that the berries (or other fruit, nut orother material) has only a short distance to fall. As the plant reachesthe end of separation, it is desirable to raise the conveyor so that theconveyor can, ultimately, dispense into baskets positioned at the secondend (and above the initial position of the conveyor. It is for thisreason, the conveyor frame structure has been reconfigured so as to beable to be both inclined and moved outwardly, and at the same time, soas to be raised, while being moved outwardly away from the plant itself.In other words, the two conveyors are positioned on opposing sides ofthe channel through which plants to be processed by the harvester aredirected. At the outward portion, the frame structure extends outwardly(in addition to being upwardly inclined relative to the gatheringportion) so as to be further from the channel than the gathering area,and further from the opposing side lower conveyor sub-assembly.

The frame structure 504 further includes front end portion 540 anddischarge end portion 542. The front end portion includes cover 543 andfront pulley member 544 (which is configured to rotate with theconveyor). In the configuration shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, the front endportion 540 further includes front door 543 f and back door 543 r whichare hingedly coupled to the frame. The front and back doors can bepivoted so as to allow access to the front pulley member, and to cleanout the region therearound. In the configuration shown, the front doorrotates forward to expose the underlying structures. The front door isinclined upwardly so as to direct the plant away from this portion, andto preclude the binding of outside material thereto. The back door islikewise inclined so as to protect the structure and the underlyingframe portion at the front thereof. The discharge end 542 includes backpulley member 545. A motor can be coupled to the back pulley member soas to drive the conveyor between the back pulley member and the frontpulley member. Of course, in other configurations, another pulley ormechanizing structure can be employed, or the front pulley member may bepowered. Variations to the powering of the conveyor is contemplated.

The discharge assembly 506 is shown in FIG. 8 as comprising blowercavity 550, berry discharge guide member 552, berry discharge guidechute 554 and air duct 556. The blower cavity includes outlet 557 whichis configured to direct air from the centrifugal fan (not shown) andthrough the berry discharge guide member. The berry guide dischargemember 552 includes upper end 560, lower end 561 and defines uppersurface 562. The upper surface includes a plurality of openings 558(i.e., in the configuration, a plurality of elongated slot-likeopenings). The berry guide discharge member directs the relativelyheavier berries or other material to be picked along the upper surface,while allowing the blower lighter items (such as branches and leaves)upwardly.

The berry discharge chute 554 includes upper end 564, lower end 566,base surface 567 and opposing walls, such as opposing wall 568. The basesurface and the opposing walls define channel 569. The berry dischargechute is positioned at the lower end 561 of the berry discharge guidemember 552 to direct the berries to an outside container, such as abasket or the like. It will be understood that the outside structure canbe another conveyor to an outside vehicle or other remote containerstructure.

The air duct 556 extends above the berry discharge guide member 552, anddirects air (as well as debris) out through the outlet 559. In someconfigurations, the outlet 559, such as in the configuration shown,extends in the direction opposite to that of the travel of the vehicle,generally spaced apart from, and orthogonal to, the berry dischargechute. In still other configurations.

With reference to FIGS. 9 through 11, the conveyor assembly 508 isformed from a plurality of cup members, such as cup member 570 which arecoupled together in an end to end fashion through the axle members 571and the guide links 572, and wherein the cup members are permitted torotate about an axis defined by the axles and pivot relative to eachother in a plane that is perpendicular to that axis. In this manner, theconveyor assembly can travel in the path of the frame member, along theguide wheels 572 through the gathering portion, the outward portion andthe terminating portion, and cycle back in the lower chamber. The cupmembers when joined form a conveyor hoop that extends through the lowerchamber and upper open channel.

More particularly, the cup members include base surface 560, first sidewall 581, second side wall 582, back wall 583 and front wall 585. Thefirst side wall includes first front axle slot 587 and first rear axleopening 589. The second side wall includes second front axle slot 588and second rear axle opening 590. The first front axle slot and thesecond front axle slot substantially correspond, and are coaxial. Thefirst rear axle opening and the second rear axle opening substantiallycorrespond. Whereas the rear axle openings are substantially circular,the rear axle slots are elongated, slots having a minor diameter thatmatches the axle openings.

The back wall 583 includes upper edge 598. The front wall 585 includesupper cover flange 584 which extends oblique to the back wall (and inthe configuration shown, generally parallel to the base surface 560). Inthe configuration shown, the side walls are substantially perpendicularto the base surface and parallel to each other. The front wall and theback wall are each oblique to each other and to the base surface. Thedifferent surfaces and walls define cavity 536 with upper opening 538.With the oblique front and back walls, the upper opening 538 has alarger perimeter than the perimeter of the base surface 560. The basesurface is generally rectangular, although variations are contemplated.

The axle members 571 include front axle 575 and rear axle 576, the axleshave the same construction. In the configuration shown, the axle member571 extends through the front axle openings. Similarly, the rear axle576 extends through the rear axle slots. The combining and the couplingof the different cup members will be described below.

Guide wheels, including first side guide wheel 577 and second side guidewheel 578 are positioned outboard of the first and second side wall,respectively, at each axle member 571.

The guide links 573 comprise opposing guide links that are positionedoutboard of the guide wheels and the side walls of the cup members. Inparticular, the guide links 573 comprise first side guide link 591 andsecond side guide link 593. The first side guide link 591 includes frontslot 594 and rear opening 595. The openings correspond to the openingsof the first and second side walls. The slots correspond to the slots ofthe first and second side walls.

To assemble the conveyor, a plurality of cup members 570, axle members571, guide wheels 572 and guide links 573. The cup members are arrangedin sequential order with the front wall of one cup member abutting theback wall of the adjacent cup member. Once arranged, an axle member isdirected through the first front axle slot of a second cup member, thefirst rear opening of the first cup member, then through the second rearopening of the first cup member and finally through the second frontslot of the second cup member. It will be understood that as the axle isdirected through slots of the second cup member, the second cup membercan pivot and slidably move relative to the first cup member as the axlecan slidably move along the slots.

Next, another cup member is positioned to abut the first cup memberopposite the second cup member. Once positioned, another axle member isdirected through the first front axle slot of the first cup member, thefirst rear opening of the third cup member, then through the second rearopening of the third cup member and finally through the second frontslot of the first cup member. It will be understood that each axlemember comprises a front axle member for one pair of cup members and arear axle member for another pair of cup members. This is continued foreach subsequent cup member. It will be understood that eventually, whenthe desired length is reached, the first end and the second end of thestring of cup members can be coupled together to form a hoop, or,conveyor.

A guide wheel is slid over either side of each axle member.Subsequently, a guide link is directed between pairs of front and rearaxles, and along each side of the side walls of the cup member. Theopenings of the side walls correspond to the openings of the guide linksand the slots of the side walls correspond to the slots of the guidelinks. This process is likewise repeated for each of the cup membersalong the length thereof.

As can be seen in the figures, the upper cover flange 584 of the frontwall of one of the cup members overlies the upper edge of the back wallof an adjacent cup member. The flange extends outwardly a sufficientextent that the upper edge of the back wall remains covered thereby,regardless of the relative position of the adjacent cup members (that isregardless of the position of the axle member relative to the first andsecond axle openings). It will be understood that the upper cover flangemay be positioned on either one of the front wall and the back wall.

The slots of the cup members and the guide links are sufficient to allowthe cup members to navigate the frame structure through the gatheringportion, the outward portion and the terminating portion, withoutimpingement, and without binding. Additionally, the travel is limited soas to insure the overlapping of the upper cover flange and the adjacentcup member.

In operation, the cup members travel along the different portions. Atthe gathering portion, berries or other materials are directed into thecavities of the cup members. They are directed along the frame memberthrough the outward portion and the terminating portion. As the cupmembers travel outwardly and are inclined upwardly, the ability to pivotalong the axis of the axle (to facilitate inclining up and down, and torotate about the pulleys at each end) and also to pivot due to the slotsin the cup member relative to each other (side to side), the cup memberscan negotiate the outward portion and the terminating portion withoutimpingement. When the terminating portion is reached, the cup membersturn about the pulley, and gravity discharges the berries and othermaterial from within the cup member onto the berry discharge surface.While on this surface, the blower blows air from below and through theberry discharge surface. The lighter material (debris and the like) isblow upwardly, while the relatively heavier berries remain on thesurface, or are not directed upwardly a sufficient amount. Eventually,the berries reach the end of the discharge guide member and are directedto the berry discharge chute. The air and the lighter debris and otherundesirable material is blown through the air duct and, eventuallythrough the outlet 559. The berries in the discharge chute are directedto a container or other collection structure.

The cup members return along the reverse path, in an upside downconfiguration through the lower chamber to the first end of the framestructure. At the first end of the frame structure, the cup membersagain are rotated about a pulley, and again begin their journey alongthe gathering portion.

As can be seen in the Figures, the rear pullies are powered by motors,in the configuration shown, independently, as are the blowers on eachside. As such, the speeds and the movement of the first side lowerconveyor sub-assembly and the second side lower conveyor sub-assemblycan be controlled in unison or independently, and the two may have thecup members moving at different speeds for any number of reasons.

It will be understood that other configurations of the conveyor assemblyare contemplated, and the structure of the cup member is not limited tothose shown. For example, the cup members may have a differently shapedcavity and may have a differently configured relative rotationstructures. It has been found that the structure shown allows for thecareful handling of berries and limits bruising and damage to berries,such that the berries may be suitable for fresh consumer packaging.

The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the disclosureand the disclosure is not limited thereto except insofar as the appendedclaims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have thedisclosure before them will be able to make modifications withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shaped conveyor assembly configured for use inassociation with a harvester comprising: a first side lower conveyorsub-assembly and a second side lower conveyor sub-assembly, the firstside and second side lower conveyor assemblies being spaced apart fromeach other and on opposing sides of a channel through which plants to beprocessed by the harvester extend, at least one of the first side andsecond side lower conveyor sub-assemblies including: a frame structurehaving a first end and a second end extending longitudinally along thelength of the harvester, the frame structure including a gatheringportion, an outward portion and a terminating portion, the gatheringportion positioned proximate the first end and spaced apart from thesecond end, the terminating portion positioned proximate the second endand spaced apart from the first end, with the outward portion extendingtherebetween, the outward portion being inclined in an upward directionrelative to the gathering portion, and directed in an outward direction,thereby extending away from the channel, and away from the other one ofthe first side and the second side lower conveyor sub-assemblies; adischarge assembly positioned at the second end of the frame structure,the discharge assembly structurally configured to dispense into acontainer; and a conveyor assembly that extends between the first endand the second end, and along each of the gathering portion, the outwardportion and the terminating portion.
 2. The shaped conveyor assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the outward portion comprises an outwardly curvedportion.
 3. The shaped conveyor assembly of claim 2 wherein a portion ofthe terminating portion is substantially parallel to at least a portionof the gathering portion.
 4. The shaped conveyor assembly of claim 2wherein the outward portion is angled relative to the gathering portionby an angle of between 110° and 170°.
 5. The shaped conveyor assembly ofclaim 4 wherein the outward portion is angled relative to the gatheringportion by an angle of between 145° and 160°.
 6. The shaped conveyorassembly of claim 2 wherein the terminating portion comprises aninwardly curved portion, wherein the curves substantially matchresulting in a portion of the terminating portion being substantiallyparallel to at least a portion of the gathering portion.
 7. The shapedconveyor assembly of claim 1 wherein the first side lower conveyorsub-assembly and the second side lower conveyor sub-assembly aresubstantial mirror images of each other taken generally about alongitudinal axis bisecting the channel.
 8. The shaped conveyor assemblyof claim 1 wherein the frame structure defines a lower chamber and anupper open chamber between the first end and the second end thereof,with the conveyor passing through the lower chamber in a first directionand through the upper open chamber in a second direction.
 9. The shapedconveyor assembly of claim 1 wherein the conveyor assembly comprises aplurality of cup members arranged in an end to end fashion, the cupmembers are configured to rotate relative to each other about an axisand to pivot relative to each other about a plane perpendicular to theaxis.
 10. The shaped conveyor assembly of claim 9 wherein the cupmembers are joined to each other through a plurality of axles thatextend through adjacent pairs of cup members.
 11. The shaped conveyorassembly of claim 10 wherein the cup members include opposing pairs ofopenings and slots, with the openings substantially corresponding to theaxles, and with the slots allowing for slidable movement of the axlestherealong.
 12. The shaped conveyor assembly of claim 10 furthercomprising a plurality of guide wheel, each one of which is coupled toopposing ends of each one of the plurality of axles.
 13. The shapedconveyor assembly of claim 12 further comprising a guide link extendingbetween adjacent ones of the plurality of axles outboard each of theplurality of guide wheels.
 14. The shaped conveyor assembly of claim 12wherein the frame structure further includes an upper open channel,defined by an outer upstand wall and an inner upstand wall opposite theouter upstand wall, and an intermediate wall, and a lower chamber belowthe upper open channel, the outer upstand wall having an inwardly facingouter wall channel, and the inner upstand wall having an inwardly facinginner wall channel, with one of the axles and the guide wheelsstructurally configured to interface with the wall channels, to, inturn, facilitate placement of the conveyor relative to the framestructure.
 15. The shaped conveyor assembly of claim 9 wherein each cupmember further includes a base surface, a first side wall, a second sidewall, a back wall and a front wall, each extending upwardly from thebase surface to define a cavity with an upper opening, one of the frontand back walls further including an upper cover flange extendingtherefrom, and structurally configured to overlie the back wall of anadjacent cup member when joined.
 16. The shaped conveyor assembly ofclaim 14 wherein each of the first side wall and the second side wallinclude an axle slot and an axle opening, with the axle slots of thefirst side wall and the second side wall corresponding to each other,and with the first slot and the second slot corresponding to each other.17. The shaped conveyor assembly of claim 1 wherein the dischargeassembly further includes a berry discharge guide member having aplurality of openings, and a blower outlet directed to the plurality ofopenings to, in turn, facilitate the blowing of air through theopenings.
 18. The shaped conveyor assembly of claim 17 wherein a berrydischarge chute extends from the berry discharge chute.
 19. The shapedconveyor assembly of claim 18 further comprising an air duct positionedabove the berry discharge guide member, and including an outlet spacedapart from the berry discharge chute.
 20. The shaped conveyor assemblyof claim 1 wherein the gathering portion further includes a plurality ofopenings positioned therealong, with a cover portion selectivelypositionable between one of an open configuration and a closedconfiguration, wherein in the closed configuration, access to theopenings is precluded.
 21. The shaped conveyor assembly of claim 20wherein the cover portion is hingedly coupled to the gathering portionof the frame structure.